Abstract:We analyzed the selection of habitat by plateau pika in degraded alpine meadow in Maqu County through different grassland improvement measures including enclosure, reseeding, fertilization (organic) and cleavage to help reveal aspects of the ecology of plateau pika and to provide theoretical basis for ecologically based management of plateau pika. From May to July 2010, 12 different grassland improvement measures were implemented. The density of active pika burrows was estimated using a stolen hole (mousehole) technique, and the selection of habitat by pika assessed. Compared with the control, the density of active pika burrows under different treatment measures was significantly reduced (P<0.05). All of the grassland improvement measures, especially reseeding, decreased the density of active burrows. The relationship between active burrow density and community structure was analysed using correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis; the density of active burrows was significantly, negatively correlated with grass layer height (P<0.05). This suggests that grass height is an important factor influencing the density of pika. Using multiple management control factors including reseeding and fertilizer application promoted grass productivity, increasing grass layer height, decreasing active burrow densities (P<0.05). In alpine meadow areas of Maqu, different grassland improvement measures can effectively reduce the density of pika burrows, particularly those which increase the proportion of the grasses in the meadow.